Now, January 2026

It's been longer than I expected since I wrote an update.

Inputs
Lots of mystery books and a little sci-fi.
"There is no antimemetics division" by qntm was fascinating
"The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder" by C.L. Miller didn't grab me, I did not finish that one.

Currently reading:
"Storyworthy" by Matthew Dicks
"The Treasure Hunter's Club" by Tom Ryan

Trying out new teas from August Uncommon and Plum Deluxe, because my body has decided it no longer wants alcohol. When I drink alcohol, I sleep poorly, and sleep's too important to me. Coffee also doesn't taste as good, trying some alternatives like Rasa.

Learned about the winter simmer pot, a pot of water and spices, herbs, or fruit you keep on a low heat to impart both scent and humidity to the house in dry months.

Took a trip to Scotland in Sept/Oct 2025 with a friend, and it was delightful. Multiple years in the planning, with a travel agent doing a lot of the work of finding places and booking them, we explored, read, ate, shopped, and walked. We saw castles, a stone circle, a book festival, a distillery, gorgeous scenery, a kilt shop, we got rained on, I ate haggis and porridge every chance I got. The people were friendly and kind, especially Gerry at the Caerlaverock Castle gift shop. He showed us videos of him making tablet (a fudge-like dessert) and brought some to our hotel that evening.

Grateful
Both cats are healthy. The car, despite having both a dead battery and flat tire on the same day in January, continues to be a solid workhorse.

Craft and Creating
I have two knitted cardigans in progress. One from Missouri rambouillet yarn, I'm working on the first sleeve. The other from yarn I got at the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool festival in 2015, so it's high time it got used. I've only been to Rhinebeck once and I remember the shocking neon of the leaves in upstate New York in October.

The House
I bought a house in March 2025. Since then I have:

• Replaced all the carpets.
• Turned the black sparkly textured wall into a normal flat wall.
• Had the basement and main bedroom repainted.
• Got the dryer vent and air ducts cleaned.
• Replaced both sliding glass doors.
• Replaced the kitchen and dining room lights.
• Removed the TV mount in the living room and filled the holes.
• Sanded and painted the margins on the stairs from replacing high-pile carpet with low-pile carpet.
• Planted a small flower garden in the front of the house.
• Got the deck power-washed and sealed.
• Put up the prints and paintings I love.
• Replaced the old giant fridge with a smaller, counter-depth one.
• Replaced the Ring doorbell one from Lorex with local storage.
• Put my bird feeder on the deck.
• Cleaned out the ick from the two shower drains.
• Hosted a housewarming party.
• Removed a broken venetian blind.

Thinking about
I've been divorced since November 2024. I bought my house nearly a year ago. My mother died in December 2025 from multiple strokes. My father is now in a nursing home near my sister.